Washing machine for sports shoes

ABSTRACT

A washing machine includes a washing drum, an openable cover mounted on a top end opening of the washing drum, a laundry mount rotatably disposed in a lower portion of the washing drum and on which an article to be washed is mounted, a motor for rotating the laundry mount, an upper brush disposed in an upper portion of the washing drum for brushing the laundry in accordance with the rotation of the laundry mount, a water supply unit for supplying water to the washing drum, and a water drain unit for draining water from the washing drum. In the washing machine, laundry such as sports shoes and bags made of thick fabrics can be cleanly washed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 2002-21466 filed on Apr. 19, 2002 in the Korean Industrial Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a washing machine, and more particularly, to a washing machine which is not only capable of even and complete washing of laundry that is made of thick fabrics and having a certain volume such as sports shoes and bags (these are difficult to wash in conventional washing machines), but also capable of carrying out the whole washing procedure from washing to drying in a single washing machine.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Unlike ordinary garments, articles such as sports shoes and bags have thick shells or layers, and also carry different type of contaminants. Accordingly, in order to effectively clean the shoes and prevent the other articles from being polluted by the shoes, the shoes should be washed in a manner different from that of the general garments.

[0004] Conventionally, manual washing has been a common way of washing sports shoes. Otherwise, even in case of using a washing machine for washing sports shoes, ordinary washing machines designed for garments have been used as they were, or equipped with supplementary devices for washing sports shoes.

[0005] In the case of washing sports shoes separately without any other laundry in an ordinary washing machine, the shoes are not normally properly cleaned because the washing machine is not designed for washing shoes. Moreover, during a washing procedure, as the sports shoes are tumbled in a washing drum, they make a lot of noise and also are liable to damage the washing machine.

[0006] Until now, even in the case of using some special washing machines equipped with supplementary devices for shoes, because they just adopted simple auxiliary devices, the cleaning performance has not been satisfactory. Accordingly, in order to obtain satisfactory cleaning effect for sports shoes, it brings about waste of detergents and electric power because existing washing machines should be driven for a long time for thorough and perfect cleaning of sports shoes.

[0007] Consequently, the conventional method for washing sports shoes by using existing washing machines has not been efficient.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention has been developed to overcome the above-described disadvantages of the conventional washing machine.

[0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide a washing machine in which articles made of thick fabrics such as sports shoes, bags and the like can be cleanly washed to a uniform state.

[0010] It is another object of the present invention to provide a washing machine that may accomplish the whole washing procedure in a single washing machine.

[0011] The above object is accomplished by providing a washing machine which includes a washing drum, a laundry mount which is rotatably provided in an inner lower portion of the washing drum to fix a plurality of articles to be washed thereon, a motor for rotating the laundry mount, an upper brush provided in an inner upper portion of the washing drum for brushing the articles according to the rotation of the laundry mount, a water supply unit for supplying water to the washing drum and, a water drain unit for draining water from the washing drum. In accordance with the present invention, it is possible to improve the cleaning effect of the washing machine because, as the laundry mount is rotated, the upper brush is brushing the laundry fixed on the laundry mount.

[0012] The upper brush can be mounted on an openable cover which is provided on a top end opening of the washing drum so that user can easily put in and take out the laundry without obstruction, wherein the upper brush can be moved vertically.

[0013] The washing machine further comprises a lower brush provided in a lower portion of the laundry mount for brushing an exterior bottom portion of the article to be washed according to the rotation of the laundry mount, a side brush provided in a side wall of the washing drum for brushing a side portion of the article and an auxiliary brush to be inserted into the article for brushing the inside of the article while maintaining the volume of the article to be washed. According to this embodiment, since the upper, the lower, the side, and the auxiliary brush are brushing the all sides of the laundry, it is possible to wash the laundry thoroughly and completely.

[0014] In another aspect of the present invention, in achieving the second object, a washing machine includes a washing drum, an openable cover mounted on a top end opening of the washing drum, a laundry mount which is rotatably provided in an inner lower portion of the washing drum to fix a plurality articles to be washed thereon, a motor for rotating the laundry mount, an upper brush provided in an inner upper portion of the washing drum for brushing the article according to the rotation of the laundry mount, a water supply unit for supplying water to the washing drum, a water drain unit for draining water from the washing drum, a dry chamber which is provided separately from the washing drum for drying the laundry, a wetting chamber which is provided separately from the washing drum for soaking the laundry prior to wash. According to this embodiment, it is possible to accomplish the whole washing procedure from washing to drying in the single washing machine so that it is efficient and convenient since it reduces the time required to complete a washing cycle and also possible to wash a great deal of laundry within a short time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The above objects and other features of the present invention will be clarified by the following description with the attached drawings, in which:

[0016]FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view showing an embodiment of the present washing machine;

[0017]FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view showing the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 of which upper brushes are descended;

[0018]FIG. 3 is a bottom view showing a supporting plate for the washing machine;

[0019]FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a laundry mount of the washing machine of FIG. 1;

[0020]FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken approximately along line I-I of FIG. 1;

[0021]FIG. 6a is a sectional view showing the upper brush of the washing machine shown in the FIG. 1;

[0022]FIG. 6b is an enlarged sectional view of “A” in FIG. 6a;

[0023]FIG. 6c is an enlarged sectional view showing another embodiment of the upper brush shown in the FIG. 6a;

[0024]FIG. 7 is a side view of the upper brush shown in the FIG. 6a;

[0025]FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing a part of the washing machine shown in FIG. 1;

[0026]FIG. 9a is a sectional view of the lower and the side brushes of the washing machine shown in FIG. 1;

[0027]FIG. 9b is an enlarged view of “B” in FIG. 9a;

[0028]FIG. 10 is a side view of the lower and the side brushes shown in FIG. 9a;

[0029]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an auxiliary brush of the washing machine shown in FIG. 1;

[0030]FIG. 12a is a sectional view of the auxiliary brush shown in FIG. 11;

[0031]FIG. 12b is an enlarged view of “C” in FIG. 12a;

[0032]FIG. 13 is a front view of the auxiliary brush shown in FIG. 11;

[0033]FIG. 14 is a plan view of the washing machine shown in FIG. 1;

[0034]FIG. 15 is a sectional view showed in right side of the washing machine shown in FIG. 1;

[0035]FIG. 16 is a sectional view of the washing machine showing a hinge unit and a clamp unit;

[0036]FIG. 17 is a hydraulic circuit diagram of the washing machine shown in FIG. 1;

[0037]FIGS. 18a through 18 c are enlarged section views for showing operating procedure of the clamp unit shown in FIG. 16;

[0038]FIG. 19 is a sectional view showing a part of the washing machine with its cover opened;

[0039]FIG. 20 is a sectional view showing a part of another embodiment of the washing machine; and

[0040]FIG. 21 is a sectional view of another embodiment showing a part of the washing machine with its cover opened.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0041] The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown.

[0042]FIGS. 1 and 2 are frontal sectional views showing the overall structure of a preferred embodiment of the washing machine according to the present invention.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 1, the washing machine includes a base 2, and a cylindrical washing drum 10 installed upon the base 2 with its top being open. On the opening of the washing drum 10, a cover 12 is installed in an openable/closable manner. A bottom plate 14 is installed within the washing drum 10 at a certain interval with the base 2.

[0044] A rotation shaft 20 is rotatably installed at the center of the bottom plate 14, and the upper portion of the rotation shaft 20 extends up within the washing drum 10. A motor 30 is installed within a space between the bottom plate 14 and the base 2. In this embodiment, the motor 30 is a hydraulic motor which is rotatable forward and reverse (clockwise and anticlockwise).

[0045] The lower end of the rotation shaft 20 is connected through a coupling 32 to the output shaft of the motor 30. At an upper portion of the rotation shaft 20, a laundry mount 40 is coupled on which the articles 51 to be washed are mounted. Accordingly, when the motor 30 is driven forward and reverse, the rotation shaft 20 and the laundry mount 40 is rotated forward and reverse.

[0046] In this embodiment, the laundry mount 40 should be preferably provided in the form of metal wireworks, so that the washing water can freely flow through them. The articles 51 to be washed such as sports shoes, bags and the like are fixed to the mount by banding them with securing bands 50. The securing band 50 may consist of a belt, a rubber band or a plastic tie band.

[0047] A plurality of upper brushes 60 (indicated by dash-dot lines) are disposed within the upper portion of the washing drum 10. The upper brushes 60 are installed on the cover 12 in a liftable manner, so that they can be selectively contacted to the article 51 to be washed. A lifting cylinder 80 is installed on the cover 12.

[0048] A piston rod 82 of the lifting cylinder 80 passes through the cover 12 to protrude into the interior of the washing drum 10, while the leading end of the piston 82 has a supporting plate 70. The upper brushes 60 are secured through supporting pieces 76 to the supporting plate 70. Accordingly, the supporting plate 70 moves up and down in accordance with the actuation of the lifting cylinder 80, and therefore, the upper brushes 60 move up and down within the washing drum 10 together.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 2, if the lifting cylinder 80 moves down to move down the supporting plate 70, then the upper brushes 60 also move down simultaneously so as to brush the articles 51 that are rotating with mounted on the laundry mount 40, thereby the articles 51 are cleaned. On the other hand, if the lifting cylinder 80 rises, then the supporting plate 70 and the upper brushes 60 move up to be restored to the status of FIG. 1, and thus, the upper brushes 60 are separated from the article 51 to be washed.

[0050] A plurality of rods 72 extends up from the supporting plate 70, while also a plurality of guides 74 are formed on the supporting plate 70. The rods 72 pass through the guides 74 respectively to be protruded up. That is, the rods 72 perform sliding movements within the guides 74 respectively so as to guide the vertical movements of the supporting plate 70.

[0051] Meanwhile, upon the bottom plate 14, there are installed a plurality of lower brushes 90 for cleaning the bottoms of the articles 51 to be washed of the laundry mount 40. On the inside wall of the washing drum 10, there are installed a plurality of side brushes 100 to clean the sides of the article 51 to be washed.

[0052] Meanwhile, a water supply unit 110 is installed on the upper portion of the washing drum 10 for supplying the washing water, while a drain unit 120 is installed on the lower portion of the washing drum 10 for draining the washing water.

[0053] The water supply unit 110 includes a water storage room 112 formed on a side of the washing drum 10 for storing the washing water, a pump 114 for pumping the washing water from the water storage room 112, a water supply tube 116 extending through the cover 12 for supplying the pumped washing water into the washing drum 10, and a valve 118 installed on the water supply tube 116 for allowing or blocking the supply of the washing water.

[0054] Alternatively, as to the method of supplying the washing water, the method of the general washing machine can be adopted. That is, the water supply tube 116 can be directly connected to the public water supply tap. If this method is adopted, the structure of the water supply unit 110 becomes simple, and the pump 114 is rendered needless, so that the expense can be saved as much as the pump driving cost.

[0055] The drain unit 120 includes a draining tube 122 extending from a drainage hole of the bottom plate 14 to the outside, and a valve 124 installed in the draining tube 122 for allowing or blocking the water drain. The valve 124 selectively opens or closes the drainage path in accordance with an actuation cylinder 126.

[0056] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the washing machine further includes drying chambers 130 formed at a side of the washing drum 10 for drying the completely washed articles 51. In FIGS. 1 and 2, there are two drying chambers 130 disposed up and down, but the number of the drying chambers 130 is not limited to this.

[0057] Further, there is provided a wetting chamber 140 for pre-wetting the articles 51 before washing them in the washing drum 10. The wetting chamber 140 is disposed under the drying chamber 130. That is, the wetting chamber 140 is disposed upon the base 20, and two of the drying chambers 130 are vertically stacked upon the wetting chamber 140.

[0058] Further, a water storage room 112 is formed upon the drying chamber 130. The structures of the drying chambers 130 and the wetting chamber 140 will be described later in detail.

[0059]FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the supporting plate 70. The upper brushes 60 (indicated by dash-dot lines) are installed on the supporting plate 70.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 3, the supporting plate 70 includes an annular outer wheel 71, an inner wheel 73, and four ribs 78 installed between the outer wheel 71 and the inner wheel 73 in a radial shape at angular intervals of 90 degrees.

[0061] At the center of the inner wheel 73, there is formed an insertion hole 78 b for inserting a piston rod 82, while each of the ribs 78 has a securing hole 78 a for securing the rod 72.

[0062] Further, four supporting pieces 76 are installed on the outer wheel 71 and the inner wheel 73 respectively in an oppositely extending form. Both ends of supporting rods 68 of the upper brushes 60 are coupled to the supporting pieces 76, so that the upper brushes 60 can be suspended under the supporting plate 70. In this embodiment, four upper brushes 60 are installed at angular intervals of 90 degrees, but the number of the upper brushes is not limited to this.

[0063]FIG. 4 is a plan view of the laundry mount 40, and as illustrated, articles 51 to be washed such as sports shoes are fixed on it.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 4, the laundry mount 40 includes a plurality of annular sub-frames 44, and a plurality of straight supporting frames 42 extending in the radial directions. The supporting frames 42 are joined to the sub-frames by welding or the like. The articles 51 to be washed are secured to the sub-frames 44 with securing bands 50.

[0065]FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line I-I of FIG. 1. That is, the interior of the washing drum 10 is illustrated, with the laundry mount 40 being removed.

[0066] As described above, two lower brushes 90 are installed on the bottom plate 14 for brushing the bottoms of the article 51 to be washed, while two side brushes 100 are installed on the inside wall of the washing drum 10 opposite to each other for brushing the sides of the article 51 to be washed. Further, a plurality of blades 150 are installed along the circumference of the inside wall of the washing drum 10.

[0067] The blades 150 generate eddy water currents when the water is agitated by the rotation of the laundry mount 40, thereby promoting the cleaning efficiency.

[0068] In FIG. 5, arrow marks depicted as solid lines show the formation of the eddy water currents which are formed by the blades 150 when the motor 30 (FIGS. 1 and 2) is driven forward, and so when the laundry mount 40 revolves clockwise. On the other hand, arrow marks depicted as dash-dot lies show the formation of the eddy water currents formed by the blades 150 when the motor 30 is driven reverse, and so when the laundry mount 40 revolves anticlockwise.

[0069] In FIG. 5, reference code 122 indicates a drainage tube of the drain unit 120.

[0070]FIGS. 6a through 6 c, and 7 illustrates the detailed structure of the upper brushes 50. That is, FIG. 6a is a sectional view of the upper brush of FIG. 1. FIG. 6b is an enlarged view of the portion A of FIG. 6a. FIG. 6c is an enlarged sectional view showing another embodiment of the upper brush of FIG. 6a. FIG. 7 is a side view of the upper brush of FIG. 6a.

[0071] As shown in FIGS. 6a and 6 b, each of the upper brushes 60 includes brush hair core 62, brush hairs 64, a frame 66, and a supporting rod 68. The brush hair core 62 consists of an elongate wire, and each of the brush hairs 64 is coiled around the brush hair core 62, while the free portion of it extends outward. The brush hairs 64 are densely arranged.

[0072] The brush hairs 64 can be made of a plastic material or polyethylene (PE). Meanwhile, the brush hairs 64 may be straight as shown in FIG. 6b, or they may be wavy as shown in FIG. 6c. If they are made wavy, they are more efficient in cleaning compared with the straight hairs.

[0073] The frame 66 has a cross sectional shape such that it surrounds the coiled portion of the brush hairs 64. The frame 66 extends in the lengthwise direction of the core 62. That is, the brush hairs 64 and the brush hair core 62 is secured to the frame 66, and in this state, the frame 66 is spirally coiled along the supporting rod 68.

[0074] Therefore as shown in FIG. 7, if viewed from one end, the upper brush 60 has a circular shape in which a plurality of the brush hairs 64 extend in a radial shape from the supporting rod 68.

[0075]FIG. 8 is a side sectional view showing the upper brush 60 installed.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 8, both ends of the supporting rod 68 are secured to the supporting piece 76 of the supporting plate 70, and therefore, the upper brushes 60 are positioned over the article 51 to be washed. The brush hairs 64 of the upper portion of the upper brush 60 contact on the bottoms of the supporting plate 70 and the cover 12, and therefore, these brush hairs 64 are bent downward.

[0077]FIG. 8 illustrates a state in which the supporting plate 70 is maximally lifted Up, but during the wash, the supporting plate 70 comes down (refer to FIG. 2). Therefore, the upper portions of the brush hairs 64 of the upper brushes 60 are separated from the cover 12, and the brush hairs 64 maintain a straightened state owing to their elastic restoring property unlike the state of FIG. 8.

[0078]FIGS. 9a, 9 b and 10 illustrate the detailed structures of the lower and side brushes 90 and 100. FIG. 9a is a sectional view showing the lower brush 90 and the side brush 100 of the washing machine of FIG. 1. FIG. 9b is an enlarged view of the corner portion of FIG. 9a. FIG. 10 is a side view of the lower brush and the side brush 100 of FIG. 9a.

[0079] Meanwhile, in this embodiment, the lower brush 90 has the same structure as that of the side brush 100, and therefore, the reference codes are shown doubly side-by-side in FIGS. 9 and 10.

[0080] As shown in FIGS. 9a and 9 b, the lower brush 90 or the side brush 100 includes brush hair core 92 or 102, a plurality of brush hairs 94 or 104 coiled around the brush hair core 92 or 102 with their free ends extending outward, and a frame 96 or 106 surrounding the coiled portions of the brush hair core 92 or 102 and extending in the lengthwise direction of the brush hair core 92 or 102.

[0081] That is, as shown in FIG. 10, one end of each of the brush hairs 94 or 104 is secured within the frame 96 or 106 together with the brush hair core 92 or 102.

[0082] Meanwhile, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, two lower brushes 90 are installed, with their directions deviating slightly from the diametrical line, and two mutually facing side brushes 100 are installed. However, the installation contours and the number of the installed brushes are not limited to this form.

[0083]FIGS. 11 through 13 illustrate the auxiliary brush 160 which is inserted into the article 51 to be washed while keeping its external shape, to cause frictions with the inside of the article to be washed so as to clean it. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the auxiliary brush of the washing machine of FIG. 1. FIG. 12a is a side sectional view of the auxiliary brush of FIG. 11. FIG. 12b is an enlarged view of the edge portion of FIG. 12a. FIG. 13 is a frontal view of the auxiliary brush of FIG. 11.

[0084] The basic structure of the auxiliary brush 160 is same as that of the upper brush 60. That is, the auxiliary brush 160 includes brush hair core 162, a plurality of brush hairs 164 coiled around the brush hair core 162 with their free ends extending outward, a frame 166 surrounding the coiled portions of the brush hairs, and a supporting rod 168 with the frames 166 being spirally wound around it.

[0085] Meanwhile, the brush hairs 164 may be straight or wavy like as the brush hairs 64 of the upper brush 60.

[0086] The contours of the auxiliary brush 160 are in accord with the inner shape of the article 51 to be washed. FIGS. 11 through 13 shows an auxiliary brush 160 having an external shape which can be inserted into the sports shoes.

[0087] Accordingly, the auxiliary brush 160 includes an instep part 170 gently curved fitting from the front end of the foot to the middle portion of the foot, an inclined part 172 steeply inclined up from the instep part 170 to the ankle, and a foot sole part 174 almost flat fitting to the bottom of a sports shoe.

[0088]FIG. 14 is a plan view of the washing machine of FIG. 1. FIG. 15 is a right side view of the washing machine of FIG. 1.

[0089] As shown in FIG. 14, the cover 12 is provided with four of the above-mentioned guides 74, and the rod 72 is inserted into each of the guides 74. Further, the water supply tube 116 is disposed on the cover 12 and inwardly to the rods 72 and the guides 74, while the valve 118 is installed in the water supply tube 116.

[0090] Meanwhile, at the right side of the washing drum 10, there is disposed the water storage room 112 within which the pump 114 is installed for pumping the water into the water supply tube 116. Further, at the right side of the washing drum 10, there is installed a control box 250 side by side with the water storage room 112.

[0091] As shown in FIG. 15, two drying chambers 130 are disposed under the water storage room 112, while the wetting chamber 140 for wetting the articles 51 to be washed such as sports shoes is installed under the drying chambers 130.

[0092] A door 132 is pivotally installed on the front face of each of the drying chambers 130 for opening and closing the drying chambers 130, while on the inside bottom of the drying chamber 130, there is installed a mounting net 134 for mounting the articles 51 to be washed such as sports shoes and the like. As shown by dash-dot lines in FIG. 15, a wetting barrel 142 for inserting the articles 51 to be washed such as sports shoes and the like is detachably installed within the wetting chamber 140.

[0093] At a side of each of the drying chambers 130, there is installed a blow heater 270 for press-blowing a heated air into the drying chamber 130. A nozzle pipe 272 being connected to the blow heater 270 extends into each of the drying chambers 130, while the nozzle pipe 272 has a plurality of nozzles 274 for spouting the heated air toward the article 51 to be washed. Further, the blow heater 270 is connected to a suction tube 271 for sucking the external air.

[0094] A far infrared ray ceramic coating layer is formed on the nozzle pipe 272 and on the nozzles 274. Accordingly, when the heated air from the blow heater 270 is spouted toward the article 51 to be washed, the far infrared rays are also radiated, so that the articles 51 to be washed can be sterilized.

[0095] Further, at a side of each of the drying chambers 130, there is installed a ventilation fan 276 for ventilating the internal air of the drying chamber 130. A ventilation tube 278 is connected to the ventilation fan 276, and the ventilation tube 278 extends from the ventilation fan 276 to near the tip of the suction tube 271.

[0096] Accordingly, a mixture of the external air and the hot air from the drying chambers 130 is introduced through the suction tube 271 to the blow heater 270, so that a thermal saving can be realized.

[0097] The control box 250 for controlling the operation of the washing machine is disposed at the rear of the drying chambers 130 and the wetting chamber 140, while a hydraulic unit 260 is installed beneath the control box 250.

[0098] In FIG. 14, reference code 180 indicates a hinge unit for pivotally coupling the cover 12 to the washing drum 10, and 190 indicates an actuation cylinder for opening/closing the cover 12, while 200 indicates a clamp unit for clamping the cover 12.

[0099]FIG. 16 shows the hinge unit 180 and the clamp unit 200 in a partial frontal section view.

[0100] As shown in FIG. 16, the hinge unit 180 includes a bracket 182 installed on the cover 12, and another bracket 16 of the washing drum 10, the bracket 16 being pivotally coupled through a hinge pin 184 to the bracket 182. On both sides of the cover 12, there are installed actuation cylinders 190 respectively, and the cover 12 is automatically open and closed in accordance with the actuation of the actuation cylinders 190.

[0101] The clamp unit 200 includes an engaging projection 18 protruding from a side of the washing drum 10, a bracket 202 extending from the cover 12, an actuation cylinder 210 downwardly installed under an extension part of the bracket 202, and a jaw 220 pivotally installed around a hinge pin 222 on a leading end of a piston rod 212 of the actuation cylinder 210. One end of the jaw 220 selectively contacts to the engaging projection 18 in accordance with the actuation of the actuation cylinder 210.

[0102] A stopper 230 extends downward from the tip of the bracket 202, and a supporting plate 214 is installed at an intermediate position of the piston rod 212 in parallel to the bracket 202. Accordingly, when the piston rod 212 moves up and down, the supporting plate 214 selectively contacts to the stopper 230.

[0103] Meanwhile, when the piston rod 212 completely moves up as shown in FIG. 16, the other end of the jaw 220 contacts to the lower end of the stopper 230. A tension spring 216 is installed between the other end of the jaw 220 and the supporting plate 214 so as to bias the jaw 220 away from the engaging projection 18 all the time.

[0104] Accordingly, when the piston rod 212 descends from the state of FIG. 16, both the jaw 220 and the supporting plate 214 descend together to be separated from the stopper 230, and therefore, the jaw 220 pivots in the direction of releasing the contact with the engaging projection 18 owing to the restoring force of the tension spring 216.

[0105]FIG. 17 shows the hydraulic circuit for driving the motor 30 and various cylinders 80, 126, 190 and 210.

[0106] As shown in FIG. 17, the hydraulic circuit is an efficient one such that a single hydraulic pump 280 drives the motor 30 and the various cylinders 80, 126, 190 and 210.

[0107] The hydraulic pump 280 pumps the hydraulic oil from a fluid tank 282, and drives a lifting cylinder 80 for lifting the upper brushes 60, an actuation cylinder 210 for actuating the clamping unit 200, an opening/closing actuation cylinder 190 for opening/closing the cover 12, another opening/closing actuation cylinder 126 for opening/closing the valve 124 of the drain unit 120, and the motor 30 for rotating the laundry mount 40.

[0108] Further, control valves VI-V7 are installed on the flow paths connecting the hydraulic pump 280, the motor 30, and the various cylinders 80, 126, 190 and 210 to control their hydraulic actuation.

[0109] Now the washing machine of the present embodiment constituted as above will be described as to its operations.

[0110]FIGS. 18a through 18 c sequentially illustrate the actuation of the clamp unit 200.

[0111] First, as shown in FIG. 18a, when the cover 12 is closed, the piston rod 212 is at the uppermost position. Under this condition, the outer end of the jaw 220 (with the tension spring 216 being installed thereon) is prevented from being pivoted by the stopper 230. Meanwhile, the inner end of the jaw 220 is engaged to the engaging projection 18 which projects from the side of the washing drum 10, and therefore, the cover 12 is prevented from being opened.

[0112] At this status, if the actuation cylinder 210 acts to move the piston rod 212 down, then as shown in FIG. 18b, the supporting plate 214 being fixed to the piston rod 212, the tension spring 216 and the jaw 220 descend together. Accordingly, the outer end of the jaw 220 is separated from the stopper 230, and therefore, the tension spring 216 contracts owing to its own restoring force.

[0113] If the tension spring 216 contracts, then the jaw 220 pivots anticlockwise around the hinge pin 222 of the piston rod 212, and therefore, the inner end of the jaw 220 departs from the engaging projection 18. Accordingly, the user can open the cover 12, and put the articles 51 to be washed such as sports shoes, bags and the like into the washing drum 10.

[0114] Thereafter, if the cover 12 is closed after putting the article 51 to be washed, then as shown by dash-dot lines in FIG. 18c, the piston rod 212 maintains its descended status, while the jaw 220 maintains itself separated from the engaging projection 18 of the washing drum 10 owing to the tension spring 216.

[0115] Under this condition, if the actuation cylinder 210 actuates in a direction opposite to that of FIG. 18b, and so, if the piston rod 212 ascends, first the outer end of the jaw 220 contacts to the stopper 230, thereby stopping its rise.

[0116] Thereafter, if the piston rod 212 raises continuously, the jaw 220 pivots clockwise around the hinge pin 222, and therefore, the inner end of the jaw 220 is engaged to the bottom of the engaging projection 18, with the result that the cover 12 is locked. Under this condition, the tension spring 216 is pulled by the pivoting of the jaw 220.

[0117]FIG. 19 is a partial frontal sectional view of the washing machine according to the present invention, with the cover 12 being open.

[0118] When the clamp unit 200 is in a released state as shown in FIG. 18b, if the actuation cylinder 190 is activated as shown in FIG. 19, then the piston rod 192 extends, and therefore, the cover 12 is opened by being pivoted upward around the hinge pin 184.

[0119] The upper brushes 60 together with supporting plate 70 and the lifting cylinder 80 are coupled to the cover 12, and are interlocked to the opening/closing of the cover 12. Therefore, upon the pivoting of the cover 12, the upper brushes 60 are also pivoted upward to be taken out of the washing drum 10. Accordingly, the user can put the articles 51 to be washed into the washing drum 10.

[0120] Meanwhile, prior to putting the articles 51 to be washed such as sports shoes and the like into the washing drum 10, the auxiliary brushes 160 which were described referring to FIGS. 11 through 13 should be preferably put into the article 51 to be washed, so that the insides of the articles 51 to be washed can be cleaned.

[0121] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the articles 51 to be washed such as sports shoes and the like are mounted upon the laundry mount 40, and are secured on the sub-frames of the laundry mount 40 with the securing bands 50.

[0122] Thereafter, when the pump of the water supply unit 110 is activated, and when the valve 118 is opened, the water which has been stored in the water storage room 112 is supplied through the water supply tube 116 and the cover 12 into the washing drum 10.

[0123] After the completion of the water supply, if the lifting cylinder 80 is activated to make the piston rod 82 descend as shown in FIG. 2, the supporting plate 70 being connected to the end of the piston rod 82 also descends. Thus the upper brushes 60 also descend down to the bottoms of the articles 51 to be washed to cover the entire portions of them.

[0124] Then the motor 30 is driven forward several rotation or several scores of rotation, and then is driven reverse several rotation or several scores of rotation, together with the article 51 to be washed. Through such rotation, the articles 51 to be washed are thoroughly brushed by the upper brushes 60 so as to be cleanly washed.

[0125] Meanwhile, since the lower brushes 90 are installed on the bottom plate 14 of the washing drum 10, the bottoms of the articles 51 to be washed are also cleanly washed through the brushing by the lower brushes 90. Further, the side brushes 100 are installed on the inside of the washing drum 10, and therefore, the front and rear portions of the articles 51 to be washed are cleanly washed.

[0126] Further, during the rotation (orbits), the articles 51 to be washed are contracted each time they pass the upper brushes 60 and the side brushes 100, but the auxiliary brushes 160 have been inserted into the articles to be washed respectively, and therefore, the insides of the articles 51 to be washed are brushed and cleanly washed.

[0127] Thus the articles 51 to be washed such as sports shoes and the like are uniformly and entirely cleaned by the brushing of the upper brushes 60, the lower brushes 90, the side brushes 100 and the auxiliary brushes 160.

[0128] Further, in accordance with the rotation and orbits of the laundry mount 40 and the article 51 to be washed, the washing water also forms flow streams along their rotation directions within the washing drum 10. As shown in FIG. 5, owing to the blades 150 which are formed on the inside of the washing drum 10, eddy water currents are formed. These eddy water currents also contribute to cleanly washing the article 51 to be washed.

[0129] If the wash is completed through the above-described procedure, then the actuation cylinder 126 of the drain unit 120 acts to open the valve 124. Accordingly, the washing water is discharged to the outside through the drainage tube 122 being connected to the bottom plate 14 of the washing drum 10.

[0130] Thereafter, a new washing water is supplied again into the washing drum 10, the laundry mount 40 is rotated forward and reverse by the driving motor 30, and then the washing water is discharged again. This procedure is repeated several times, thereby completely rinsing the article 51 to be washed.

[0131] When the rinsing is completed, the lifting cylinder 80 acts in a direction opposite to that of FIG. 2, so as to lift the piston rod 82. Accordingly, the upper brushes 60 are also lifted and separated from the article 51 to be washed. Then the laundry mount 40 is rotated fast by the motor 30, thereby dewatering the article 51 to be washed.

[0132] When the dewatering is completed, the jaw 220 of the clamp unit 200 departs from the engaging projection 18 of the washing drum 10, and therefore, the locking of the cover 12 is released as described above referring to FIGS. 18a through 18 c. Then if the actuation cylinder 190 is activated, the cover 12 pivots to be opened as described above referring to FIG. 19.

[0133] Thereafter, the user releases the securing bands 50 from the article 51 to be washed, and then, takes out the washed articles from the washing drum 10. Then the user takes the auxiliary brushes 160 out of the washed articles, and then, puts the washed articles into the drying chambers 130.

[0134] As shown in FIG. 15, the washed articles are mounted upon the mounting net 134 of the drying chamber 130, and in this state, if an electric current is supplied to the blow heater 270, then a heated air passes from the blow heater 270 through the nozzle pipe 272 and the nozzles 274 to be spouted into the drying chamber 130. Thus a high temperature air is spouted into the drying chamber 130, and therefore, the washed articles 51 are completely dried within the drying chamber 130.

[0135] The humid hot air is discharged out of the drying chamber 130 by the ventilation fan 276.

[0136] Meanwhile, a ventilation tube 278 is connected to the ventilation fan 276, and the ventilation tube 278 extends up to near the suction tube 271 being connected to the blow heater 270. Accordingly, the exhaustion hot air from the drying chamber 130 is mixed with the external air to be introduced through the suction tube 271 into the blow heater 270.

[0137] Thus the hot air discharged from the drying chamber 130 is recycled into the blow heater, and therefore, some thermal savings are realized in the blow heater 270.

[0138] Meanwhile, when the hot air is spouted through the nozzles 274 into the drying chamber 130, far infrared rays are also radiated toward the articles 51 to be washed because the far infrared ray coatings are formed on the nozzles 274 and on the nozzle pipe 272. Owing to these far infrared rays, the articles 51 to be washed are sterilized.

[0139] According to the present invention as described above, the total procedure from the wash to the drying can be carried out in one single machine in a convenient manner. In addition, the washing drum 10 and the drying chambers 130 are provided separately from each other, and therefore, while the articles 51 to be washed are washed in the washing drum 10, the washed articles can be dried within the drying chambers 130, thereby shortening the time required for the wash and drying.

[0140] Further, in the washing machine of the present invention, the wetting chamber 140 is provided separately from the washing drum 10, and therefore, the articles 51 to be washed can be left within the water and detergent, with the result that the washing time within the washing, drum 10 can be shortened, as well as making it possible to clean the articles to be washed more thoroughly.

[0141]FIGS. 20 and 21 are partial frontal sectional views for another embodiment of the washing machine according to the present invention.

[0142] If this embodiment of the washing machine is compared with the embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 19, the two embodiments are same to each other, except that there are some differences in the opening/closing structures of the cover and in the constitution of the clamp unit.

[0143] Referring to FIG. 20, the clamp unit 300 of this second embodiment includes a cam-shaped lever 310 pivotally installed at a side of the washing drum 10, a hook 312 pivotally coupled to the cam-shaped lever 310, and an engaging protrusion 320 projected upon the cover 12 for engaging and supporting the hook 312.

[0144] If the user pushes down the cam-shaped lever 310 to make it pivot in a state with the hook 312 engaged to the engaging protrusion 320, then the hook 312 is locked to the engaging protrusion. In this embodiment, the clamp unit 300 is simple in its structure compared with the clamp unit 200 of FIG. 16.

[0145] Further, in this embodiment, gas springs 330 are installed on both sides of the cover 12 for opening/closing the cover 12. The gas spring 330 is also called “support strut bar,” and it is a known device which is often used for opening/closing the hood of an automobile.

[0146] Generally, high-pressure nitrogen gas and oil are filled in a support strut 331 of the gas spring 330. The gas spring 330 operates in the following manner. That is, if the locking of the clamp unit 300 is released, an actuation rod 332 is extended owing to the internal gas pressure, thereby opening the cover 12.

[0147]FIG. 21 illustrates the open status of the cover 12. When the clamp unit 300 locks the cover 12 as shown in FIG. 20, if the user lifts the cam-shaped lever 310, then the hook 312 departed from the engaging protrusion 320. Thus if the locking of the clamp unit 300 is released, then the cover 12 is opened owing to the function of the gas spring 330.

[0148] In the above, the present invention was described based on the specific preferred embodiments and the attached drawings, but it should be apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be added without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, which will be defined in the appended claims.

[0149] As described above, according to the present invention, the laundry mount with the articles to be washed mounted and secured thereon revolves, while the upper brush, the lower brush and the side brush work to brush the articles to be washed so as to clean them. Further, the auxiliary brush cleans the insides of the articles to be washed, and therefore, the articles to be washed can be thoroughly cleaned.

[0150] Further, there are provided drying chambers as well as the water storage room and the wetting chamber separately from the washing drum, and therefore, the total procedure from the wash to the drying can be carried out in one single machine in a convenient manner. Therefore, the cyclic time required for the washing and drying the articles can be shorted, and a large amount of the articles to be washed can be finished within a short period of time.

[0151] Further, the far infrared ray ceramic coating layers are formed on the hot air-spouting nozzles and the nozzle pipe, and therefore, the washed articles can be sterilized, thereby making it possible to realize a hygienic treatment.

[0152] Further, the opening/clamping of the cover, the ascending/descending of the upper brushes, and the supply/discharge of water are done in an automatic manner, and therefore, manpower and time can be saved from being squandered. 

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent of the United States is:
 1. A washing machine comprising: a washing drum; a laundry mount rotatably installed within the washing drum for mounting an article to be washed; a driving source for rotating the laundry mount; an upper brush installed within an upper portion of the washing drum for brushing the article in accordance with rotation of the laundry mount; a water supply unit for supplying washing water into the washing drum; and a drain unit for draining the washing water from the washing drum.
 2. The washing machine as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a cover openably installed on top end opening of the washing drum, wherein the upper brush is liftably installed on the cover.
 3. The washing machine as claimed in claim 2, wherein a plurality of the upper brushes are installed in a radial shape at certain angular intervals.
 4. The washing machine as claimed in claim 2, wherein the upper brush can be moved in vertical direction within the washing drum by a lifting cylinder that is installed on the cover.
 5. The washing machine as claimed in claim 4, wherein the upper brush comprises: a supporting rod connected to a piston rod of the lifting cylinder; a frame spirally wound around the supporting rod; a brush hair core having a shape of an elongate wire and secured to the frame; and a plurality of brush hairs arranged in a radial shape around the supporting rod and secured to the frame by being coiled on the brush hair core.
 6. The washing machine as claimed in claim 5, wherein each of the brush hairs has a wavy shape.
 7. The washing machine as claimed in claim 2, wherein the cover is hinge-coupled to a top end of the washing drum so that the cover is opened/closed by actuation cylinders that are connected to both sides of the cover.
 8. The washing machine as claimed in claim 2, wherein the cover is hinge-coupled to a top end of the washing drum so that the cover is opened/closed by gas springs that are connected to both sides of the cover.
 9. The washing machine as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a clamp unit for automatically clamping the cover when the cover is closed.
 10. The washing machine as claimed in claim 9, wherein the clamp unit comprises: an engaging projection protruding from a side of the washing drum; an actuation cylinder; a jaw pivotally installed on a leading end of a piston rod of the actuation cylinder, and having one end selectively contacted with the engaging projection while moving up and down according to actuation of the actuation cylinder; a stopper for limiting vertical movements of the jaw; and a tension spring connected to the other end of the jaw for biasing the jaw away from the engaging projection constantly.
 11. The washing machine as claimed in claim 9, wherein the clamp unit comprises: an engaging protrusion projecting from the cover; a cam-shaped lever pivotally installed on a side of the washing drum; and a hook with its one end being pivotally coupled to the cam-shaped lever while its another end is supported by being engaged with the engaging protrusion.
 12. The washing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper brush comprises: a supporting rod; a frame spirally wound around the supporting rod; a brush hair core having a shape of an elongate wire and secured to the frame; and a plurality of brush hairs arranged in a radial shape around the supporting rod and secured to the frame by being coiled on the brush hair core.
 13. The washing machine as claimed in claim 12, wherein each of the brush hairs has a wavy shape.
 14. The washing machine as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a lower brush for brushing bottoms of the article to be washed during rotation of the laundry mount.
 15. The washing machine as claimed in claim 14, wherein the lower brush comprises: a frame extending in a radial direction beneath the laundry mount; a brush hair core having a shape of an elongate wire and secured to the frame; and a plurality of brush hairs arranged in a lengthwise direction of the frame and secured to the frame by being coiled on the brush hair core.
 16. The washing machine as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a side brush installed inside of the washing drum for brushing the sides of the article to be washed during rotation of the laundry mount.
 17. The washing machine as claimed in claim 16, wherein the side brush comprises: a frame vertically extending along the washing drum; a brush hair core having a shape of an elongate wire and secured to the frame; and a plurality of brush hairs arranged in a lengthwise direction of the frame and secured to the frame by being coiled on the brush hair core.
 18. The washing machine as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an auxiliary brush that will be inserted into the article to be washed for brushing the insides of the article with maintaining its external shapes.
 19. The washing machine as claimed in claim 18, wherein the auxiliary brush comprises: a supporting rod; a frame spirally wound around the supporting rod; a brush hair core having a shape of an elongate wire and secured to the frame; and a plurality of brush hairs arranged in a radial shape around the supporting rod and secured to the frame by being coiled on the brush hair core, wherein, the contours of the auxiliary brush formed by connecting the outer ends of the brush hairs are in accord with the inner shape of the article to be washed.
 20. The washing machine as claimed in claim 19, wherein the contours of the auxiliary brushes are accord with the inner shape of a sports shoe.
 21. The washing machine as claimed in claim 19, wherein each of the brush hairs of the auxiliary brush has a wavy shape.
 22. The washing machine as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of blades installed along an internal circumference of the washing drum for inducing eddy currents of the washing water during rotation of the laundry mount.
 23. The washing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the water supply unit comprises: a water storage room for storing the washing water; a pump for pumping the washing water from the water storage room; and a water supply tube extending through the cover for supplying the pumped washing water into the washing drum.
 24. The washing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the drain unit comprises: a draining tube extending from a drainage hole of the bottom of the washing drum to the outside; a valve provided in the draining tube for allowing or blocking the water drain; and an actuation cylinder for selectively opening/closing the valve.
 25. The washing machine as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: a drying chamber provided separately from the washing drum for drying the article to be washed; a blow heater provided on a side of the drying chambers for conveying air into the drying chambers by heating external air; and a nozzle pipe provided inside the drying chambers and having a plurality of nozzles to communicate with the blow heater and spout a heated air into the drying chambers.
 26. The washing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein a far infrared ray ceramic coating layer is formed on the nozzle pipe.
 27. The washing machine as claimed in claim 26, further comprising: a suction tube extending from the blow heater to outside; a ventilation fan installed on a side of the drying chamber separated from the blow heater; and a discharge tube extending from the ventilation fan to near an entrance of the suction tube so as to put a mixed air into the suction tube, wherein the mixed air consists of external air and exhaustion hot air from the discharge tube.
 28. The washing machine as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a wetting chamber installed separately from the washing drum for wetting the article to be washed in advance of cleaning.
 29. The washing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the driving source is a hydraulic motor which can be driven forward and reverse.
 30. The washing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the article are fixed on the laundry mount with fixing bands.
 31. A washing machine comprising: a washing drum; a cover openably installed on top end opening of the washing drum; a laundry mount rotatably installed within the washing drum for mounting an article to be washed; a driving source for rotating the laundry mount; an upper brush installed within an upper portion of the washing drum for brushing the article in accordance with the rotation of the laundry mount; a water supply unit for supplying a washing water into the washing drum; a water drain unit for draining the washing water from the washing drum; a lower brush installed under the laundry mount for brushing bottoms of the article to be washed as the laundry mount is rotating; and a side brush installed inside of the washing drum for brushing the sides of the article when the laundry mount is rotating.
 32. The washing machine as claimed in claim 3 1, further comprising an auxiliary brushes inserted into the article to be washed for brushing the insides of the article while maintaining its external shape.
 33. The washing machine as claimed in claim 31, further comprising: a drying chamber provided separately from the washing drum for drying the article to be washed, and a wetting chamber provided separately from the washing drum for wetting the article to be washed in advance of cleaning. 